African leaders signed a U.N.-backed deal on Sunday meant to bring stability to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Government forces are battling the M23 rebel group in the eastern part of that country. "It is my earnest hope that the framework will lead to an era of peace and stability for the peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. The agreement calls for cooperation among nations to "preserve and protect the territorial sovereignty" of the Democratic Republic of Congo, he was quoted as saying by CNN. Ban praised the framework but stressed that it marks just the beginning of a "comprehensive approach that will require sustained engagement." The deal was signed in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa by envoys of several African nations, including Uganda and Rwanda. Representatives from the rebel group were not involved. Ban said that a U.N. special envoy would be appointed to support the deal's implementation. South African President Jacob Zuma said the agreement represents an opportunity.
